A LEIGH company is backing a new specialist apprenticeship scheme. Property preservation company ProTen Services is lending its support to the programme which has been set up to train and provide a new generation of professionals with the skills required to in the trade.

The company has placed three trainees on the new Apprenticeship Programme for the Preservation Industry, which has been introduced by national trade body the Property Care Association.

Stephen Hodgson, chief executive of the PCA, said: “The Apprenticeship has been launched to encourage young people into the preservation industry.

“This is mainly due to the increase in those retiring and to help with succession.

“It’s an exciting prospect which will provide the necessary skills to support the preservation and protection of properties across the country.”

Support and funding for the placements has come from the Construction Industry Training Board.

ProTen Services’ apprentices, Matthew Burbridge, Jack Madden and Paul Bennett, are ideally placed in Leigh to see the need and the impact of preserving buildings.

The Bell Hotel, in Leigh Hill, was being restored and preserved before its collapse and demolition last November.

The Grand, in Broadway, is also a prime example of the various and hidden dangers that threaten historic buildings, with invasive Japanese knotweed so far proving a barrier to the restoration and redevelopment of the once great building into a boutique hotel.

Mr Hodgson added: “Training and development is a central pillar of the PCA’s work and it’s an area that the Association has expanded in recent years.

“There’s a clear route for progression with training and development initiatives in place to provide those like Matthew, Jack and Paul, who are new to the industry, with plenty of opportunities to develop their skills and progress their career.

“We hope as well as addressing the immediate need for a new generation of professionals in the preservation industry the apprenticeship will raise awareness of a skilled career in the construction-related sector which is not always on the radar.”